Air Cadets shine despite change of course to Digby

Sleaford Air Cadets covered themselves with glory at the Trent Wing ATC Cross Country Championships held at RAF Digby.

There was a last-minute switch of course from RAF Cranwell to nearby Digby due to lack of availability. The event turned out to be dry and sunny, but with a bitingly cold westerly wind it was tough going in the latter stages of the five and three kilometre courses.

The teams from 2160 Sleaford Sqn gave their all when they tackled the unfamiliar Digby course. The cadets made light of the change and came home in some style.

The best placed individual was Cdt Harry Coleman who led his team to victory in the youths race by finishing first in a very competitive field. His compatriots Alex Myers and Jake Mitchell ran in 11th and 16th respectively from a field of more than 50 starters.

In the boys’ race Sleaford came second overall with a notable fourth place for Cdt James Collett. His team mates Ethan Wright and Daniel Balicki crossed the line in seventh and 18th places respectively.

The junior girls matched the boys, also gaining second overall with Cdts Erin Atkinson and Laura Brierley coming fifth and sixth respectively - backed up by Cdt Lauren Clack in 10th place.

In the junior men’s event, Sgt Michael Reed made a storming effort for fourth place, but retirements meant the team trophy was out of reach.

The senior girls pulled off a stunning victory, winning the team event with Sgt Charlotte Turner coming home in fourth place, followed by Cadet Warrant Officer Millie Osborne in fifth and Flight Sergeant Alex Sellers in sixth.

CWO Millie Osborne, team captain of the senior girls’ team, said: “It’s an amazing sense of achievement even just to represent the squadron, but coming back with results as fantastic as these makes it even more worthwhile. It’s time to focus on the Regionals now, and if everyone performs at the level that was shown at wing, there are high hopes for Trent Wing coming out on top.”